Nikon D5200 versus rival model with similar score

Further readings for the Nikon D5200

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Nikon’s latest flagship DX-format DSLR, the D7200, features a 24.2Mp APS-C image sensor and weather-resistant shell, as well as an improved autofocus and image buffer capabilities. Using the same or similar APS-C sensor previously tested in their D3300 entry-level and D5500 mid-range DSLRs, how will the scores from Nikon’s new top-end APS-C DSLR compare?

The K-S1 is Pentax’s latest entry-level DSLR featuring a 20.1Mp APS-C CMOS sensor and Anti Aliasing filter simulator. Targeted towards consumers taking their first plunge into DSLR photography, the K-S1 boasts a compact design, flashing LED lights, illuminated rear controls and choice of 12 colours. With the sensor scores in, lets see how the K-S1 compares to the competition.

Sony has launched a new translucent mirror option in their Alpha range of interchangeable lens cameras. Boasting a new autofocus system and greater ISO sensitivity, will the Sony a77 II become the king of APS-C cameras? We look back at its predecessor, the Sony a77, and consider recent Sony sensor scores, to help us decide.

Following the lens recommendations for Nikon D7100 and entry-level D3200, we’ve now turned our attention to the new mid-range D5300. We’ve tested the camera with more than 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses have the best image quality when paired with the new camera.

We’ve now had the opportunity to assess the entry-level 24-Mpix Nikon D3200 with a wide range of lenses. We’ve analyzed a total of over 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality, and to discover which of those models perform best on the camera. Read on to find out the models you should be looking to use and which ones you should try to avoid.

High-end lens maker Carl Zeiss has just released the first model in a series of high-grade DSLRs lenses in Nikon mount and we were more than curious to see if the performance of the new Otus 1,4/55 could match the hype. Read on to find out.

The Nikon D5300 is the successor to the year old D5200 featuring a similar 24-Mpix CMOS sensor of it predecessor but lacking an optical low pass filter for improved clarity. Read on to find out how well the new camera performs.

Following the recommendations for Nikon D7100, we’ve had the opportunity to assess another of the firm’s 24-Mpix DX format cameras – the mid-range D5200 - with over 120 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses perform best when paired with the camera.

This is the second part of our lens recommendations for the Nikon D7100 where we’ve analyzed nearly 60 Nikkor and third-party standard and portrait prime and zoom models to assess their optical quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses are the best performers when paired with Nikon’s ultra-high resolution 24-Mpix APS-C format semi-pro model.

Following on from the distinctive styling of the K-30, the new Pentax K-50 is a mid-range, sensitively priced DSLR featuring a tried-and-tested stabilized 16-MPix CMOS sensor with fine-tuned image processing and sensor sensitivity of up to ISO 51,200. Read on to see how well it performs in our labs.

Comments

Please Test Lenses

Please test lenses on this excelent APS-C DSLR, It's hard to decide which lens to choose, by observing the results on older aps-c or full frames(Like on d5000 lens rating is very low on the other side on d800 or d3x the lens rating is very high). Since the pixel pitch is different it may bring a lot of difference in score.-thank u.

Sensor Size

I believe you when you say that the D5200 has a better sensor overall compared to the D7100 (Although it is hard to believe), however, on this site it is listed that the sensor on the D5200 is 15.7x23.6 and on Nikon's official site it shows that both the D7100 and the D5200 have the same 15.6x23.5 sensor. Having the same sensor seems like they would have the same low light performance, but since this is not the case based on your tests, do you think it could possibly have something to do with the lack of the filter?

In actual shooting, the new 24Mp D5200 produces superb results

I had an opportunity to shoot with a D5200 for about an hour and found that the results were similar in overall IQ as my D800. My initial impression: I would have no problem marrying the D5200 (or better yet, the D7100) as a backup camera for my D800 -- particularly if mated to the 70-300 as a lightweight super-long companion to the D800 with 24-120mm f/4.

Ohh, too bad even at base iso under bright light!!

take a look at this full size sample published from NikonFrance,,, even at iso200 under daylight, IQ is terrible, very much like a photo from basic P&S camera,,, charts and numbers here are very meaningless,, real life still are too bad for this sensor...shocked!

First replies for this comment

Re: Ohh, too bad even at base iso under bright light!!

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

The DxOMark scores includes RAW measurement only. Sometimes, RAW converter embedded on cameras does not fit the sensor IQ (the old sony JPEG images is a good sample for that : RAW measurement were pretty good when JPEG were very bad).

Banding Issues

There have been several samples floating about now that people in the USA are receiving their orders. The raw samples, unlike the raw NEFs from the D7000/D5100, behave poorly when the shadows are brought up. There is a distinct banding pattern that appears to be an issue with the DAC/readout-process that creates evenly spaced horizontal lines (in landscape orientation) on recoveries of 2EV and up. This is not unlike the banding visible in the early 5D mk2 samples. I see this as a major strike against a camera replacing the excellent sensor of the D5100/D7000. I definitely would not trade "up" in this case.

Chroma noise at ISO200

At FLICKR there is a sample of the D5200: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonfrance/8160816485/sizes/o/in/photostream/How could this camera earn such a high score, when pronounced chroma noise starts appearing even at ISO200 (check EXIF for the picture above). Please check out this sample in the region of the girl's hair, it's full of blueish chroma noise. It is also evident that the camera loses detail (masks it and sharpens it)even at the lowest setting, giving a "cartoonish" feel to it.

Nikon D5200

Sorry, this isn't particular to the sensor. I hope Nikon/Toshiba is really able to control noise while upping the mexapixels.

I bought a D5100 in early 2012. I tried it at the camera store and liked what I felt there. It wasn't till I got it outside and went to use it "for real" that I noticed what would have been a deal-breaker: No Depth of Field Preview! I have used a bunch of Nilons over the yars -- they all had a DOF preview button to the right of the lens mount. A (D)SLR without a DOF preview? Why would Nikon leave off this most useful feature? They don't seem to have added it to the D5200.

First replies for this comment

Re: Nikon D5200

Nikon removed the DoF preview button on the entry-level cameras dating all the way back to the D40. The D40/X, D50, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, all of these lack DoF preview. As a matter of fact it's not even an option to set to the Fn. button.

My best guess as to why the DoF preview is gone is that most people using entry-level cameras wouldn't use it. They would take a picture and look at the screen to judge DoF. Personally, I like DoF Preview and I use it all the time.

On Nikon's current lineup only the D90 and higher have DoF Preview options.